title: Cannabis for therapeutic purposes: patient characteristics, access, and reasons for use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authorized and unauthorized use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP) has increased dramatically in recent years, and physicians have called for further research to better clarify the parameters of effective and appropriate use. We report findings from a large cross-sectional study of the use of CTP in Canada and compare use across medical conditions and across authorized and unauthorized users.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined cannabis use history, medical conditions and symptoms, patterns of current use of CTP, modes of access and perceived effectiveness among 628 self-selected Canadians consumers of CTP. Participants were recruited from medical cannabis dispensaries and from organizations that assist users of CTP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients reported using cannabis to treat multiple symptoms, with sleep, pain, and anxiety being the most common. Cannabis was perceived to provide effective symptoms relief across medical conditions. Patterns of use were also consistent across medical conditions. Notable differences were observed with regard to modes of access.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Across medical conditions respondents reported using cannabis to effectively address diverse symptoms. Results indicate a substantial disconnect between the therapeutic use of cannabis and research on the risks and benefits of such use; particularly with regard to the anxiolytic and sedative use of cannabis. Authorized and unauthorized users exhibited few meaningful differences with regard to medical conditions and patterns of use, but faced substantial differences regarding access.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: zachary.walsh@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Zach
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: 1814B Edgehill Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 1R7, Canada. Electronic address: rojocal@yahoo.ca.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Callaway
authors.affiliation: Canadian AIDS Society, 190 O'Connor Street, Suite 100, Ottawa, ON K2P2R3, Canada; Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: LynneB@cdnaids.ca.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belle-Isle
authors.affiliation: Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Box 14, Lions Bay, BC V0N 2E0, Canada. Electronic address: rielle@telus.net.
authors.forename: Rielle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capler
authors.affiliation: Green Cannapy Research and Development, 288 Highway 33W, Kelowna, BC V1X 1X7, Canada. Electronic address: bekindok@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada. Electronic address: plucas@uvic.ca.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. Electronic address: susan.holtzman@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holtzman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003415:Crime; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010361:Patients / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D064086:Medical Marijuana
keywords: Access to cannabis; Cannabis; Medical marijuana